TECH125-1009 : Transfusion Medicine

INSTRUCTOR:
Lindan Spromberg, LVT, BS, VTS (ECC)

DATES:
October 12-November 16, 2009
Real Time Sessions: Friday evenings, October 16, 23, 30, and November 6, 2009; 9:00pm-10:30pm ET (USA)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is designed to help veterinary support staff better understand the different aspects of transfusion medicine. All of the when's, the how's, and the why's will be covered from blood typing and component therapy to how to recognize a transfusion reaction.

All members of the veterinary support staff are encouraged to join; however, the course is focused toward technicians and experienced assistants as well as for veterinarians for establishment of a transfusion medicine team in practice. This course is designed to enable participants in having a better understanding of the basics of crossmatching, blood typing, collection and storage of blood, component therapy, transfusion reactions and emergencies. This course has been submitted for RACE approval for veterinarians and veterinary technicians.

Lindan Spromberg has taught numerous courses online and has spoken at conferences worldwide. Her experience in emergency and critical care medicine enabled her to set up and run a transfusion protocol in her hospital.

Upon completion of this course, the participant should be able to

• identify the different blood types in a dog and cat.
• prepare and perform a crossmatch.
• collect blood from a dog and a cat.
• outline the protocol for storage of the different blood components from a dog and cat.
• administer the proper blood component to their patients.
• recognize a transfusion reaction.
• assist in treating the different types of transfusion reactions.

TEXTBOOK: There is no required text for this course.

COURSE OUTLINE:

Week 1: Introduction to blood antigens and blood typing
Content: In the first session, the student will get a basic knowledge of red cell morphology, blood type antigens, and blood types in both the dog and cat. Students will learn blood typing techniques and crossmatching techniques.

Week 2: Collection and Storage
Content: The week two session will cover basic blood collection of blood from dogs and cats. We will discuss how to collect and store all forms of blood products and the different types of additives used during collection and storage. Common myths about storage will also be covered.

Week 3: Component therapy and administration
Content: What, when, where and why to administer each blood component is vital knowledge to properly treat your critical patient. A general knowledge of whole blood, plasma and packed red blood cells will be covered in this session. The course will also cover in detail how to properly administer all forms of blood products.

Week 4: Transfusion reactions and emergencies
Content: All four types of reactions will be covered in this session. What their clinical signs are and how to recognize them before they become life threatening emergencies. We will also discuss what to do if a transfusion reaction occurs.

LIBRARY MATERIALS: Library materials will be made available prior to the topic week so participants will have plenty of time to prepare for the real time sessions and discussion.

MESSAGE BOARD DISCUSSIONS: Message board discussions regarding the topic presented will begin on the day the course opens and continue for one week following the last real time session. These discussions will be held in the VSPN CE course area.

CE HOURS: 6

TUITION:
$120 ($108.00 early bird special if registered before September 28, 2009).
*Students currently enrolled in and taking at least 2 classes or 5 units at an AVMA accredited or CAAHT approved Veterinary Technician Program may be eligible to receive a 50% discount off the regular rate for this course (upon verification of student status). You must include the following information in the comments section of the CE enrollment form in order to be eligible for this discount: your program director's name and contact information (email/phone) and school name.

** NOTE: Registration will be closed when the maximum number of participants is reached or at 5pm ET the day of the first real time session.

**The Participant's Resource Center includes all you need to know about online CE with VIN and VSPN: https://www.vin.com/CE/Public/VSPN/ParticipantVspn.htm

TO ENROLL:

1. Each person must individually be a registered member of VSPN (www.vspn.org). Membership in VSPN is free.
2. To enroll in any VSPN CE course click on the ENROLL NOW link below the course title on the right side of the page at www.vspn.org/CE
3. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses. This is our major form of communication with participants. It is highly recommended that course participants use their own, personal emails rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
4. VIN Member veterinarians SHOULD NOT register for their staff. Please have the staff member register through VSPN. Please email VSPNCE@vspn.org if you have questions.
5. VIN Member veterinarians ARE ELIGIBLE to take this course; this course is RACE and VHMA approved for both veterinarians and veterinary technicians. **Please access the course enrollment through www.vspn.org/CE.

Note: "This course has been submitted for approval for 6 continuing education credits in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB RACE approval; however participants should be aware that some boards have limitations on the number of hours accepted in certain categories and/or restrictions on certain methods of delivery of continuing education. Call VSPN CE at 1-800-700-4636 for further information." (Attendees are encouraged to check with their licensing jurisdiction(s) for information regarding recognition by their board).

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COURSE WITHDRAWAL AND REFUND POLICY: Withdrawal prior to the listed start date of a course entitles the registrant to a complete refund or a credit toward a future VSPN or VIN CE course, whichever is preferred. Withdrawal within 1 week after the listed start date (i.e. including no more than one real-time session) entitles the registrant to a credit toward any future VIN CE course. (Does not apply to courses with only one real-time session.) After the first real-time session, a registrant may withdraw due to special circumstances and receive prorated credit towards a future VIN course. These requests will be handled on an individual basis. The amount of the prorated credit will be determined based on 65% of the time remaining in the course at the time of withdrawal. It is not possible to withdraw retroactively.
Note: To ensure rapid handling of your request for withdrawal, we recommend that you call the VIN office at 1-800-700-INFO (4636).

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** For More Information on VSPN's upcoming CE Courses, check out http://www.VSPN.org/CE

Nanette R. Walker Smith, M.Ed., RVT, CVT, LVT
VSPN Content Director & CE Coordinator
VSPNCE@vspn.org
1-800-846-0028 or 1-530-297-4950, ext 187

Charlotte Waack (Charlotte@vspn.org), ext 193
Chris Upchurch (Chris@vspn.org); ext 197
VSPN CE Services
1-800-846-0028 or 1-530-297-4950

[ CE MAIN | COURSE CATALOG | RACE/GETTING CREDITS | ONLINE CE HOW TO | SUGGEST A COURSE | VIN MAIN ]

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800.700.4636  |  CEonVIN@vin.com  |  530.756.4881  |  Fax: 530.756.6035 777 West Covell Blvd, Davis, CA 95616 Copyright 2000, Veterinary Information Network, Inc.